KatTheHippie
Well-Known Member
Super proud of these corner shelves I made for the boys cage! They were easy to make, easy to move/install, and easy to clean. All items used can be purchased at Lowes/Home Depot. Here's the step-by-step info!
**What you'll need:
Coroplast(correx/corrugated plastic. Located in the sign making section)
Hardware cloth (Found in the outdoor section, by the chicken wire.)
Hot glue gun and non-toxic glue sticks
Duct tape
4 washers, 2 bolts, 2 wing nuts.
-Measure and mark your coroplast. I used the corner sections, so I already knew they were a right angle. I measured 10 inches on either side, and sketched out the rounded ledge.
-Then I cut it out. I used the first one as a template for the other, so I had matching pieces.
-Then, cut out an 5x5 inch square of hardware cloth. Place this on one of the coroplast wedges, on the squared portion. Make sure that there are 3 squares of hardware cloth on both sides, these are what you're going to use to hang the shelf.
-Cover the whole thing in a generous layer of hot glue, and then press the second wedge over top of it, sandwhiching the hardware cloth in between the 2 coroplast pieces. Apply even pressure over the whole thing, to make sure that it bonds tightly.
-When it's all dry and cooled down, inspect it. If there are any gaps, fill them with hot glue and press down, to bond them tightly.
-cover the shelf in duct tape. This is done for a few reasons, it adds traction, makes it look pretty (You can get so many different colors/patterns), and it deters chewing. Rats don't usually like chewing duct tape because of the sticky residue it leaves on their teeth.
-Bend up the hardware cloth, and press a washer, then a bolt against one of the holes. Do the samething on the other side.
-Put the shelf in the cage, pushing the bolts through the bars. On the other side of the cage, press another washer onto the end of the bolt which is poking through. Screw on the wing nut. Repeat for the other bolt. This holds your shelf in place in the cage, and makes it sturdy for your ratties to climb around on!
-Enjoy!
**What you'll need:
Coroplast(correx/corrugated plastic. Located in the sign making section)
Hardware cloth (Found in the outdoor section, by the chicken wire.)
Hot glue gun and non-toxic glue sticks
Duct tape
4 washers, 2 bolts, 2 wing nuts.
-Measure and mark your coroplast. I used the corner sections, so I already knew they were a right angle. I measured 10 inches on either side, and sketched out the rounded ledge.
-Then I cut it out. I used the first one as a template for the other, so I had matching pieces.
-Then, cut out an 5x5 inch square of hardware cloth. Place this on one of the coroplast wedges, on the squared portion. Make sure that there are 3 squares of hardware cloth on both sides, these are what you're going to use to hang the shelf.
-Cover the whole thing in a generous layer of hot glue, and then press the second wedge over top of it, sandwhiching the hardware cloth in between the 2 coroplast pieces. Apply even pressure over the whole thing, to make sure that it bonds tightly.
-When it's all dry and cooled down, inspect it. If there are any gaps, fill them with hot glue and press down, to bond them tightly.
-cover the shelf in duct tape. This is done for a few reasons, it adds traction, makes it look pretty (You can get so many different colors/patterns), and it deters chewing. Rats don't usually like chewing duct tape because of the sticky residue it leaves on their teeth.
-Bend up the hardware cloth, and press a washer, then a bolt against one of the holes. Do the samething on the other side.
-Put the shelf in the cage, pushing the bolts through the bars. On the other side of the cage, press another washer onto the end of the bolt which is poking through. Screw on the wing nut. Repeat for the other bolt. This holds your shelf in place in the cage, and makes it sturdy for your ratties to climb around on!
-Enjoy!